To Say Or Not To Say Letters A

To Say or Not to Say: Letters and Letter Writing
As Seen in Pride and Prejudice
Quite frequently in her novels, Jane Austen uses letter writing between characters to explain past events and the exact nature of people’s roles in them. It is these letters that always offer great insight into a character’s true nature; which, often times, is not what it appears to be. It is this tactic that is consistently prevalent in her 1813 novel, Pride and Prejudice.
Throughout the course of the novel, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Gardiner, and even Mr. Collins all write letters, and each reveal their personalities and sincere thoughts through them. It is in fact the letter writing that initially ...

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Mr. Bennet’s death because he is the nearest male relative. In his letter, Mr. Collins proposes a visit to Longbourn and hints at a further proposal of marriage to one of the Bennet daughters. The reader quickly learns of this man’s nature because of the contents of his letter as well as Mr. Bennet’s reasoning behind his acceptance of the proposal. Mr. Bennet makes fun of his unusual writing style and pomposity, and also makes snide remarks to his family about him. Ultimately, Mr. Bennet agrees to the visit because he wants to laugh at Mr. Bennet’s expectations.
Austen’s strategy of presenting the qualities of a person by way of indirection is clearly seen here. The odious letter from Mr. Collins prepares the reader to dislike him even before he arrives. Without even meeting this man, his personality is learned by the excessive verbiage, pompous flattery, and self-pride evident in his letter. It is Elizabeth who is extremely perceptive about Mr. ...

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Elizabeth begins to reevaluate Mr. Darcy himself. Suddenly, she cannot remember anything that Mr. Darcy has ever done which was not honorable and just. Her final realization is that she has been "blind, partial, prejudiced, and absurd." Elizabeth has thus gained a moral insight into her own character and sees that she too has been blind. And as she gain awareness of others, she gains more and more awareness of herself. Elizabeth admits: "Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind." Consequently, it is Elizabeth’s character that increases in depth as she is able to analyze herself and come to these new and crucial conclusions.
Although it is the ...

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